Home Inspection or Appraisal? Which is First for CO Springs Homebuyers?

Thu, 06/22/2017 - 19:41 — SteveWillis

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is just one of the hurdles homebuyers in Colorado Springs have to clear on their path to purchasing their dream house. After making an offer, negotiating terms, and coming to agreement on a price, you will still have two more important items to check off your list before official closing: the home inspection and home appraisal.

A home inspection is a careful evaluation of the condition of many of the most important features of the property in question. It is designed to help prospective buyers uncover any potentially hidden issues (roof damage, bad electrical wiring, termite damage, radon exposure, and much more.)

The home appraisal is a professional’s opinion of the true value of the property.

Both are necessary steps that help make the home buying/selling process as safe and reliable as possible.

Where some confusion starts to seep in is whether a homebuyer should prioritize one over the other.

Which is First: Home Inspection or Home Appraisal?

When done properly by an experienced, certified Colorado Springs home inspector, a home inspection is the best way to protect yourself against some of the risks of buying a property. Many issues are invisible to the untrained eye.

You need to know as early as possible in the process if the home you’re looking at is in need of expensive repairs that the seller may not even be aware of. Without that valuable information, it’s hard to come to a true valuation of the property through an appraisal.

For that reason, it’s often recommended that Colorado Springs homebuyers opt to schedule the home inspection before the home appraisal.

You may think that uncovering costly, hard to identify problems is rare for homes on the market. Any home inspector or experienced home buyer can tell you differently.

If you’re in the market for a new home and you’re at the point where it’s time to choose between the next step of home inspection or appraisal, contact Willis Home Inspection today for home inspection services in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Calling 719-499-3221 will ensure you avoid any expensive surprises after closing.